I found this website, Be More With Less today, via Ali Edwards, as I was searching the internet for answers to life.  Of course, you know my relationship with the internet and looking for answers.  Never. A. Good. Thing. In my constant quest to better my life, to increase happiness, reading this website brought inspiration into my day today.  Be More With Less.  How simple is...

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Max meeting his gifts this morning, just after waking up.  I loved his face when he was looking at them and the tree.  I am sure he was like, 'Wow...cool! Check these out!'. He really took to the Pillow Pet!  Take one of many.  I love the fact that its not perfectly posed.  I love Charlie looking at Tyler.  I love Tyler trying to escape. ...

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...in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.Its Christmas Eve and I am watching White Christmas, sitting by the tree.  I just finished the last stocking I said I would make for Max and the twinkie nephews.  I am pleased with them.  They dont have the professionally made look, or even an experienced/serious crafter touch.  But they do look like the pictures...

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(couldnt come up with a clever, catchy title) How can you say no to this face? Especially when its right in your face?Here he is today, admiring the tree. What did you do today? ...

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Lately when reading my blogroll, those that have young children all seem to have this The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition with Blue Eyed North Pole Pixie-Elf toy.  I find it interesting that many have the same tradition.  Or better yet, same approach of incoporating the 'he knows if you've been bad or good' theory, ie, get their children to behave in...

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One of my favorite things to do outside spending time with Max, reading, photography and shopping, is to bake.  I'll tackle all recipes once.  Though the easier the better for me.  I whipped up this cake last night for a holiday lunch today at work.  This is one of my favorites.  Check out how simple:1 box of chocolate cake mix (any brand)All the...

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Everyone can thank my blog friend Emily for sharing this on her blog.  Love this version.  (really love anything from coldplay!)  Thank you Emily! ...

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It's these moments that I love.  We get to do this, spend good quality time together, on Saturdays and Sundays.  I look forward to them every week.  This is when I get to be Mom, all day long.  Not that I am not during the week, but I get to feed, teach, play and soothe him, not school, not Grandma or Ginga.  (though I...

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For my craft social last weekend, I wanted to serve traditional high tea fare.  On that menu are scones.  All flavors of scones, from sweet to savory.  Since I had already had a few savory items, I went with sweet for the scones.  I had made orange dark chocolate chip scones.  They were a big hit!I had used a muffin mix and followed...

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I was right!  I did have this book as a child!  As mentioned in this post about our seasonal reading list, I thought this book was part of my childhood reading.  And sure enough it was!I stopped at Mom's house tonight to pick up my new phone, and she had said she found it.  She found it!  Thank you Mom for not throwing out...

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Today I hosted a Holiday Tea + Craft Social at my house for friends and family.  I wanted to start something that I would host annually, in addition to other times throughout the year.  I am not familiar with any events of the like in the area, so I figure if I cant find one, why not just host one? So today, about 10...

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December 2 – Writing. What do you do each day that doesn’t contribute to your writing — and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++My writing.  I never thought of myself as an author or a writer, however seeing I am authoring my blog, and my story to www.thenextfamily.com, I just might be a writer after all. There are many things that do not...

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December 1 One Word.Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++New.Everything this year has been new in my life.  Not so much the material items, but definitely the new roles I’ve taken on, the new people in my...

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Dear Max,I absolutely cannot believe it.  You are seven months old today.  I feel like I just wrote your six months letter.  You are evolving into a little person right before my eyes.  Your personality is starting to break through and I have no complaints.  It seems you will be a happy and funny, genuine person. You are sitting up, basically unsupported.  You are...

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Over the past few years, each Christmas season I've read a 'christmas' book.  I started this tradition with a fiction book, last year it was non-fiction.  This year, back to fiction.  (maybe a pattern here??)  I really like this idea that just adds a little bit more magic to the season.  I am starting Max on this tradition this year.  Here's our reading...

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